Concrete plant defies residents' wishes

Adam D. Young

Friday

Feb 26, 2010 at 10:02 AM

A concrete company has a green light to build a facility in the Guadalupe Neighborhood despite residents' complaints the facility could pose health risks.

The Highland Concrete Co. on Feb. 19 received the necessary state permits to begin construction of two concrete batch plants at 401 N. Ave. K, according to a copy of the company's air quality permit issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The company also received a city permit to build the plants' foundation at the site, said Kathy Bruns, the lead administrative assistant with the Lubbock Building Inspection Department.

Highland's continued efforts to build the plants at the North Avenue K site comes after the Guadalupe Neighborhood Association and such city officials as Mayor Tom Martin urged the company to consider other locations in and around the city.

Martin said he offered advice to the company and the neighborhood association following complaints in December from the association that pollution from the two proposed concrete batch plants could pose health risks for residents of nearby homes.

"I would have preferred that it not be permitted there," he said of the North Avenue K location. Martin said it will be up to residents of the neighborhood to file an injunction halting construction.

"At this point, there's not much else (the city) can do," he said.

Members of the neighborhood association plan to continue their opposition to the plants' construction in their neighborhood. The association will host a news conference and rally at 9 a.m. today in front of the proposed plant, said Lile Quirino, wife of association president Carlos Quirino. Her husband wasn't available for comment Thursday.

Those who may be affected by the proposed plant can file a petition appealing the permit approval in Travis County District Court by March 21 - 30 days after the Feb. 19 permit approval date, according to documents provided by the commission.

Alpine-based Highland submitted its proposal for the batch plants to the commission on Nov. 12. The company was hired to supply concrete for Phase Four of the Marsha Sharp Freeway and selected the site on North Avenue K for its close proximity to the freeway.

Several residents filed complaints with the state commission in December, claiming the proposed batch plants would produce harmful air pollutants, such as concrete dust, and water pollutants. The TCEQ rejected those complaints because they were received on or after Dec. 14 - past the 30-day public comment deadline.

The neighborhood association also complained Highland didn't provide a Spanish-language version of its legally required public notice of construction. Morrow said the state commission ruled Highland wasn't responsible for providing a Spanish-language version of the notice for the Guadalupe Neighborhood.

Dan Arnold, president of Highland, did not return Avalanche-Journal messages left Thursday through his office phone number and e-mail.